Ireland is home to some truly phenomenal wildlife.Our position on the western periphery of Europe, perched on the edge of the wild North Atlantic, makes this a truly special place. The essence of Ireland's natural heritage is encapsulated in this short video, compiled by Crossing The Line Films. It was screened during "New Horizon's For Nature", Ireland's first National … [Read more...] about Video captures essence of Ireland’s wildlife at National Biodiversity Conference
biodiversity
New Biodiversity Maps system a “game changer” for conservation
The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) has launched a major upgrade to its online data portal, Biodiversity Maps. The new system offers enhanced online access to the Centre's national repository of sightings data, consisting of more than four million verified records from multiple sources spanning almost 16,000 species.The system is free and open to all via the … [Read more...] about New Biodiversity Maps system a “game changer” for conservation
The Wild Postcard Project: boosting awareness of Ireland’s Biodiversity
A new biodiversity art project aimed at Ireland's youth is looking to spread the word about Ireland's amazing wildlife far and wide with postcards. Founders Eileen Diskin and Angela Stevenson explain...A survey several years ago in the UK found that the general public is largely unfamiliar with the term ‘biodiversity’, with many respondents thinking it to be a type … [Read more...] about The Wild Postcard Project: boosting awareness of Ireland’s Biodiversity
Wildlife Projects for Tidy Towns
Ireland's Wildlife contributor Albert Nolan urges communities to champion wildlife as part of the nationwide Tidy Towns initiative. Spring had forgotten about our part of the world as a chilling wind greeted us in the morning. Bags and pickers were quickly shared out and everyone was glad to start walking and get the circulation going again. Our first … [Read more...] about Wildlife Projects for Tidy Towns
Conserving Ireland’s Seas: The Marine and Coastal Protection Areas of Ireland initiative
Looking after Ireland's marine environment should be a massive priority for the Irish government, not just because of EU directives and potential sanctions, or the very obvious benefits to our rich coastal biodiversity, but also for moral, social and economic reasons. Peter Green of the Marine and Coastal Protection Areas of Ireland Initiative explains. We … [Read more...] about Conserving Ireland’s Seas: The Marine and Coastal Protection Areas of Ireland initiative
Black arches moth recorded for the first time in 100 years
The National Biodiversity Data Centre announced on its Facebook Fan Page yesterday that it has received a record of a Black Arches moth (Lymantria monacha) from Camolin Woods in Co. Wexford. This is the first record of this species occurring in Ireland for 100 years. It was last recorded from a site in Glengarriff, Co. Cork in 1914.See the Facebook post below for more … [Read more...] about Black arches moth recorded for the first time in 100 years
Ireland’s first Urban BioBlitz to take place in Limerick City
Members of the public in Limerick City and surrounding areas are being invited to join wildlife experts and ecologists this weekend in Ireland’s first ever Urban BioBlitz.Hosted by Limerick City Council, Limerick City Centre Tidy Towns Group and the National Biodiversity Data Centre, the Limerick Urban BioBlitz aims to identify and document as many wildlife species as … [Read more...] about Ireland’s first Urban BioBlitz to take place in Limerick City
Living on the edge: “Model County” doing its bit for Irish biodiversity
In general Ireland's local authorities seem to see roadside verges and hedgerows as areas to be trimmed and tamed.You see evidence of verge cutting and the decimation of hedgerows everywhere as you drive around the country. Neatly side-stepping the law in the name of health and safety, local authorities relentlessly slash hedges, ripping them apart with heavy machinery, … [Read more...] about Living on the edge: “Model County” doing its bit for Irish biodiversity
Colebrooke Estate claims Ireland’s BioBlitz 2013 crown
The team of volunteer experts at Colebrooke Estate in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland were crowned "All Ireland BioBlitz Champions" for 2013 over the weekend with an impressive closing tally of 1,086 species in 24 hours.Colebrooke beat Lough Key Forest Park, Co. Rosscommon (959 species); The Burren National Park, Co. Clare (947 species) and Wicklow National Park (908 … [Read more...] about Colebrooke Estate claims Ireland’s BioBlitz 2013 crown
Biodiversity Beermats bring wildlife to Dublin pubs
A group of postgraduate students at the School of Natural Sciences in Dublin has come up with an innovative way of engaging with the Irish public about the importance of biodiversity.They've produced a set of eight "Biodiversity Beermats", each featuring a fun biodiversity fact, and beautifully designed and illustrated by Aileen Crossley from Rathfarnham, Dublin. The … [Read more...] about Biodiversity Beermats bring wildlife to Dublin pubs
IWT and Biology.ie team up to encourage citizen science
The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) and wildlife records and mapping website Biology.ie have joined forces to encourage more people in Ireland to submit their wildlife sightings online.According to a post on the IWT website the hope is that the initiative will "contribute to the growing level of ‘citizen science’ in Ireland".Visitors the the IWT homepage will now see an … [Read more...] about IWT and Biology.ie team up to encourage citizen science
Glengarriff crowned BioBlitz 2012 champions
Glengarriff Nature Reserve in West Cork was crowned BioBlitz Champion 2012 over the weekend with an incredible tally of 1,020 species over 24 hours. The team at Glengarriff beat stiff competition from Crawfordsburn Country Park in Co. Down, Lough Boora Country Park in Co. Offaly and Dublin’s Phoenix Park, coming from behind to take the title. At the 3pm tally on Saturday … [Read more...] about Glengarriff crowned BioBlitz 2012 champions
Ireland’s BioBlitz 2012 kicks off today!
The final countdown is on for Ireland’s island wide BioBlitz 2012, with four sites across the island competing for Ireland’s biodiversity crown. Killarney National Park took the title last year, and I’m off to Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve in West cork later today to do whatever I can to help bring the title back down south. We’re competing against Phoenix Park in Dublin, … [Read more...] about Ireland’s BioBlitz 2012 kicks off today!
Free Butterfly ID Course in Co. Kerry
Are you interested in learning how to identify Irish butterflies? Would you like to contribute to butterfly conservation in Ireland? Can you make it to Tralee, Co. Kerry on Saturday 28 April? Butterfly Monitoring Workshop Date: Saturday 28 April 2012 Time: 10:30 am to 3:00 pm Venue: Business/IT Building, North Campus, Tralee Institute of Technology This free butterfly … [Read more...] about Free Butterfly ID Course in Co. Kerry
Landscape conservation to help Irish bats
A new initiative to help authorities make informed decisions about landscape conservation for Ireland's bat species was launched in Dublin earlier this week by Dr Liam Lysaght, director of the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC).A joint project by Bat Conservation Ireland (BCI) and the Centre for Irish Bat Research (CIBR), the "‘Landscape Conservation for Irish … [Read more...] about Landscape conservation to help Irish bats
Biodiversity Data Centre announces 2012 workshop programme
Ireland’s National Biodiversity Data Centre has just announced it’s programme of workshops for the coming year. The full programme is available for download in PDF format from the Centre’s website by following the link below. Biodiversity Data Centre 2012 Workshop Programme This year the centre is offering a more extensive range of workshops with a broader geographic range … [Read more...] about Biodiversity Data Centre announces 2012 workshop programme
Biology.ie–keep track of your personal wildlife sightings
Biology.ie is an online personal biodiversity monitoring resource that was established in 2005 by naturalist Paul Whelan. The site lets you keep track of your personal wildlife sightings, and is a bit like an online field notebook with built in mapping and species lists that helps you to monitor what you see, when and where. The primary aim of Biology.ie is to increase … [Read more...] about Biology.ie–keep track of your personal wildlife sightings
Ireland’s Butterflies: how they fared in 2010
The Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme has released its annual report for 2010. Established in 2007 by the National Biodiversity Data Centre, this Citizen Science project aims to improve our overall understanding of Irish butterfly species, their distribution and their population dynamics. Last year the scheme involved more than 140 volunteers around the country who contributed … [Read more...] about Ireland’s Butterflies: how they fared in 2010
Killarney takes BioBlitz title with record species tally
Congratulations to the team from Killarney National Park, who were crowned national BioBlitz champions 2011 over the weekend with an impressive tally of 1,088 species over the 24 hour period despite the inclement weather. It’s a testament to the skill and dedication of the recorders and volunteers across the country that every site involved surpassed the 542 species tally … [Read more...] about Killarney takes BioBlitz title with record species tally
Invasive Species Ireland: Protecting Ireland’s Biodiversity
Site of the week is a new weekly feature highlighting an Irish website dedicated to wildlife, nature or conservation.This week the featured site is Invasive Species Ireland – which works to highlight the threat posed to our wildlife by introduced invasive species.The introduction of non-native plant and animal species is the second biggest threat to global biodiversity … [Read more...] about Invasive Species Ireland: Protecting Ireland’s Biodiversity
Species-rich Areas Pitted Against Each Other in Annual Biodiversity Challenge
The gloves will be well and truly off later this month as five of Irelands most iconic and species rich wildlife areas compete for the title of National BioBlitz Champions 2011. BioBlitz 2011 will take place during a 24 hour period on the weekend of 20-21 May. This year teams of scientists, students and the general public at Ballycroy National Park, Co Mayo; Dromore Woods, Co … [Read more...] about Species-rich Areas Pitted Against Each Other in Annual Biodiversity Challenge
Poplar Hawk Moth… a different view
Seeing the fantastic insect photographs being posted to the Ireland’s Wildlife Facebook Page this month prompted me to browse my photo archives, and I thought I’d share this with you on the blog. The poplar hawk moth (Laothoe populiis) an incredibly striking insect… based on a 1981 distribution map it can (or at least could) be found all over Ireland, but because, like many … [Read more...] about Poplar Hawk Moth… a different view
